Nov 14 Nature Looks Good on Josh Collins in New Music Video for "Hold You Back"

Just over a year ago, London singer-songwriter Josh Collins released his debut EP, Porky Pies, a fleeting collection of five quirky indie singalongs somewhere in the vein of Bon Iver if Bon Iver weren’t crippled by the heartbreak we know he is (you good, Justin?) and if Justin were, well, a Brit. But Josh Collins is simply Josh Collins and he’s crafted a sincere blend of bluesy rock (think a 70/30 ratio) and acoustic folk efforts.

A few months ago, Josh dropped the music video for “Hold You Back,” the standout track of the EP. "‘Hold You Back’ has been one of my favourite tracks from my [debut] EP. The music, kick, and snare are all made from my Spanish guitar. Sonically, it offers space for the listener to plunge into,” Josh tells us about the track. It steadily builds momentum and the kick provides a wicked pulse through to the end. My favourite element has to be the bass guitar. It’s precise and expertly assembled (shoutout to my producer Worgie Productions). I love the way it roars throughout — combining both groove and darkness.”

The song itself is a beautifully simple track jazzed up by Josh’s vocals (at their best here) and, of course, the shimmering percussion he told us about. Mimicking the quiet comfort “Hold You Back” affords, its music video accompaniment finds Josh traversing the stunning, verdant landscape of the UK’s Lake District National Park. With the help of cinematographers Yannick Hausler and Tom Precey, Josh creates a visually mesmeric foray into nature as we watch him run and sing (simultaneously — singing is already hard, but when you couple it with running, that’s just an impressive form of masochism) among calm environs. Coupled with its video, “Hold You Back” is a lush tribute to two kinds of terrain: that of the Earth and the one we travel when we fall, helplessly, in love. Josh Collins — with that smooth voice and those tender strums — strikes a beautiful balance between the two.